OJ Simpson, the Intoxication of Fame, and the Monster Lurking Within

Reflecting on the murder and trial that captivated a nation…and the lessons from an unchecked desire for celebrity

There is no professional athlete that is more infamous than OJ Simpson. The mere mention of his name evokes strong emotions in people of a certain age. An older generation might still remember Simpson as one of the best running backs to ever play the position. Simpson is one of only eight players to ever rush for over 2,000 yards rushing in a single season. People in my generation who did not watch Simpson’s playing career, may remember him from a media perspective as a spokesperson, actor, and color analyst. But all generations will undoubtedly remember him for the trial for the double homicide of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman where he was acquitted but later found liable for wrongful death in a civil suit.

On April 10th, 2024, Simpson passed away after being diagnosed with cancer and his death has led many people to revisit and reopen their feelings about him and the trial that defined so much of pop culture in the 1990s. OJ Simpson, it could be argued, was the first instance of a viral story before the internet even existed to the masses. His story and the events of the most public trial in the 20th century still have ripple effects today that speak to the…